Eighteen-year-old faucet dancer Rio Gomez used to draw back from the highlight, however the highlight retains shining on her and her expertise. When the Fullerton, California–native was youthful, she didn’t all the time imagine in herself. “My academics introduced me up, once I didn’t have a lot confidence in my dancing,” she says. Since then, Gomez has taken large strides: She received a 2026 YoungArts Award and, in Could, was named Artist of the 12 months for Dance by the Orange County Register.
At age 13, Gomez centered her dance coaching on faucet and joined the Southern California–primarily based Reverb Faucet Firm, directed by Leah Silva. Gomez additionally started exploring choreography in faucet and different genres, in addition to mentoring Reverb’s youthful dancers.
Now the highschool senior is getting ready to attend UCLA, the place she’s going to main in enterprise economics and, after all, proceed dancing. Dance Spirit spoke with Gomez about her best inspirations, future objectives, and the recommendation she’d give her youthful self.
What drew you to faucet as a style of dance?
I used to be drawn to the way it combines music and dancing, as a result of I actually love music. I additionally assume it’s actually rewarding while you get a step. Once you hear your self get it for the primary time, there’s this rush of pleasure that may’t be replicated.
Who’ve been your most influential academics?
Leah Silva, Reverb’s director, has instilled in me not simply the approach however the historical past of faucet dancing, and to respect the historical past. She’s given me so many alternatives to attend festivals and have spots in showcases. I’ve a tough time placing myself on the market typically, and he or she helped me try this.
Once I was a freshman in highschool, I auditioned for the decrease degree of my faculty’s dance program. My trainer, Andrea Oberlander, advised me to audition for the upper degree. Later, as soon as I spotted what I actually need to do is choreograph, I emailed her and requested if I may assist choreograph our college musical, and he or she mentioned sure. It wasn’t an actual place till I requested for it.
Gomez/Orange County Register.
What do you assume choreographing in your friends has taught you about educating?
It’s taught me so much about commanding a room. We’re the identical age, and so they’re my buddies outdoors of sophistication, so I’ve to placed on a distinct persona as a trainer. (Particularly once I was a freshman educating upperclassmen.) Entering into that position left me with extra confidence and with the flexibility to carry myself with presence in a room. Additionally having the ability to shift on the fly.
How would you describe your signature fashion?
Very flowy actions. I began my coaching with ballet, and it comes naturally to me to have a extra lifted and ethereal texture. Lots of people affiliate faucet dance with heavy footwork, however I favor mild skating throughout the ground and crawls, and higher-pitched noises.
Going heavy is one thing I battle with extra, despite the fact that I put on J Sams [by Jason Samuels Smith], that are recognized to be fairly heavy footwear. I additionally battle with improvisation. I’m not a super-go-with-the-flow particular person, and, as a perfectionist, it’s arduous while you aren’t all the time going to do a step precisely the way you envisioned it. You’ve got to have the ability to pivot.
What have been some highlights of your dance journey to date?
Entering into Reverb was an actual spotlight for me. It was popping out of COVID, and I used to be in an in-between part the place I wasn’t actually positive what I used to be doing with dance. It turned a whole contemporary begin for me.
Being a YoungArts honoree has additionally been thrilling. I auditioned for thus many scholarships final yr and barely obtained previous the primary spherical. This yr, once I truly received, Caleb Teicher commented on my Instagram submit, and it was so thrilling to have that sort of recognition.
What would you inform your youthful self?
I might inform her to do all of the issues she thinks about doing, and to not fear about whether or not she’s ok to do them. I believe at occasions I’ve held myself again as a result of I haven’t felt like I’m prepared, however you’re by no means going to really feel completely prepared. I might additionally encourage myself to speak to individuals within the business, as a result of they’re cool individuals and also you by no means know what could come of it.
What are a few of your future objectives?
I need to choreograph. That’s my major ardour. I’ve largely accomplished live performance dance, however I’m enthusiastic about the potential of movie and industrial dance.
I’m at the moment a part of Leo Manzari’s Kick within the Door, and it’s been so enjoyable to carry out as a part of a faucet ensemble with a music artist. I positively need to do extra collaborations with musical artists. There’s something so particular about stay music and dealing with a band.
Why did you resolve to main in enterprise economics?
I framed my total software round dance being a enterprise. It’s a must to market your self, and perceive the enterprise side of the leisure business. However I positively need to maintain dance in my life and proceed dancing professionally.